Lousy Hill Lane – Simon Warren Cycling Climbs of Yorkshire
- SW Rating: 8/10
- Wheelygood Rating: Medium
- Length: 0.88 miles
- Avg. gradient: 9%
- Category: 4
- Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/19507842
- Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1121972
- Parking: There is a car park at the village hall conveniently located right at the base of the climb (here), but, if you’re riding, then the Station car park, Robin Hood’s Bay is a good base for the area.
I do like it when I know what I’m in for1. Helps me prepare and all that. The 25% sign right at the bottom of Lousy Hill Lane is just that kind of encouragement. It’s especially interesting, because there’s no way to get a run-up, either: your choices are to have come from up the bottom section of Little Beck Bank from the valley below to the junction where it starts and, thus, you’ll be tired, or to come down from the other road next to it and then have to perform a very tight 180º turn to start. Either way, you’ll hit the bottom of this one at about 5mph. In some ways this is good, because you don’t try and gun it up the lower slopes to try and conserve momentum, but, in others, it’s bad, because you know that you’re now in for a slow process where every inch of progress will have to be earned or, even, fought for…
The, badly surfaced, road goes straight up to 20% and, then, 25. There’s no messing about whatsoever here. Since the road is twisty and turny you’ve got no idea how long this is going to last as you’re riding it. Having checked it out later on, this single, brutal, ramp lasts for the first quarter of the entire climb with precious few dips below 20%. At least you’re sheltered from the wind by all the tree cover! There’s nothing for it, but to apply yourself to the pedals and keep ’em going round as best you can.
Eventually, however, you will see some sky and the gradient does slacken off for a short period. It’s just enough to get your heart rate back down just a tiny bit before the road tips upwards once more. This ramp is quite variable and nowhere near as severe as the previous one, but it’s enough to make you sick of your life as you drag yourself to the top.
There, the worst is all done. Not that you’re finished climbing, mind.
Another small ramp, another false flat and you’ll be out of the woodlands and passing fields as the road continues to drag on upwards. There’s a farm off to the left and, as you approach their driveway, it kicks up again for 100m, or so, before settling back to that steady drag. On the day I filmed it, it was also the point where the temperature had dropped enough for frost to linger in on the shadowed parts of the road, bringing an additional piquancy to the ride2. On and on it drags, before one final kick about 100m before the top.
If you made it this far, then you’ve done really well – it’s got teeth, this one. Great effort!
If there are any other road climbs you’d like me to take on, the more ridiculous the better, then please send me a message on my FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/wheelygoodcycling/ or email me on wheelygoodmail@gmail.com and let me know…
